Seton Hall Prep Baseball Player is Improving After Brain Aneurysm

Seton Hall Prep senior second baseman/pitcher Chris Manfredonia and senior right fielder Tommy Mahala spend much of their day together. Both are residents of Bernards Township in Somerset County and have known each other since they were seventh graders at St. James School in the Basking Ridge section of the township.

"We live near each other and we have just about every class together; we're together from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. with baseball," said Manfredonia.

The last few days have been especially difficult for Manfredonia and his teammates as Mahala has been recovering from a brain aneurysm.

Mahala has been in the hospital since Thursday when it was discovered he was suffering from a congential condition often asymptomatic known as arteriovenous malformation. The condition led to increased pressure and a leak in the brain, which resulted in an aneurysm.

Manfredonia said that doctors have said Mahala was born with the condition.

"The veins and arteries get tangled up," said Manfredonia, who'll attend Muhlenberg College next year where he'll play baseball.

Mahala is still in Overlook Hospital in Summit, but feeling better, Manfredonia said.

He said Mahala had another procedure Monday morning.

"It went well," said Manfredonia.

The two were scheduled to walk together in Sunday's graduation since their names are right next to each other alphabetically.

"I was with him the day it happened and he was fine in the morning — we were working out and running, but in the afternoon he felt nauseous and he started to forget things and his parents rushed him to the hospital," said Manfredonia, adding that he has spoken to Mahala and visited his friend twice.

The Pirates and Bergen Catholic took a moment before last Friday's North Jersey, Non-Public A semifinal in West Orange in prayer for Mahala. Seton Hall Prep then won the game 10-7 in the bottom of the seventh on a walk-off, three-run homer by senior Shane Nolan.

Seton Hall Prep will play Pope John XXIII for the sectional title Tuesday afternoon at Yogi Berra Stadium on the campus of Montclair State University. Game time is 4 p.m.The winner of the game will play for the state championship.

"We're excited about the possibilities," said Manfredonia.

The fact Mahala is feeling better will also give the team a boost. Mahala has been planning on attending the U.S. Naval Academy.

"We want to get him all healed up and we'll cross that bridge when we get there," said Manfredonia.